Informational meeting covers long-range plan

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Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

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Posted Aug. 6, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Posted Aug. 6, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

By Nancy Hastings

Twitter: @nhastingsHDN

HILLSDALE — An informational meeting held at Gier School Tuesday night shared how Hillsdale Community Schools will begin a two-year process to change Bailey Elementary School into an early childhood center.

Superintendent Shawn Vondra said with the change, students in grades kindergartenthrough fourth grade will all eventually attend Gier Elementary School. Those students entering fourth grade this fall will remain at Bailey, because the next year as fifth-graders they go on to Davis Middle School.

Students entering third grade will stay at Gier and all pre-school classes will be at Bailey beginning this fall.

“At Gier we already use all the room we have and there is no room to add classes,” Vondra said. “But at Bailey, that building has capacity with room to expand.”

He explained that the change creates an opportunity to expand preschool services and align all students in kindergarten through fourth grade in one building.

“We’ve had good feedback from organizations who wish to share space at Bailey, making services all in one building, which allows us to expand the pre-school programs.” Vondra said.

The planning process began last winter and the change is part of the school district’s long-range vision, he said. Since the date to enter kindergarten was Dec. 1, is now Oct. 1 and will again be moved to Sept. 1, the number of those in the preschool age bracket has increased. He said due to these changes, 25 percent can’t start kindergarten, so expanding preschool fits the needs of the area, especially since several pre-schools like Karen Jenkins no longer exist.

“By sharing the different analysis, we can consider the long range plan and how it has changed from 1939,” Vondra said. “The demographics are different and we need to match what the community needs for the next generation. I’ve put forth a vision, looking off to 10 years and have presented a model to take care of current needs.” Fourth-grade teacher Kevin Klingler attended the meeting and said he was glad to see his grade able to remain at Bailey and that staff members will remain the same, including the principals. He said the letter sent out to parents in July was “super helpful” and noted people are ready to make the changes once understanding the long view.

School board member and parent Jean Nolan, who also attended the meeting, said she liked that the transition will be smooth for all the kids.

“It will be an easy transition for everyone involved,” Nolan said.

Vondra said parents, the board of education and the district’s staff seem to be excited about the change and attributed the meeting’s small attendance Tuesday to the letter’s clear outline of what the changes entail.

He noted he is available for those who have any questions or comments about the timeline or long-range plans for the elementary schools. He can be contacted at 437-4401 or by email at shawn.vondra@hillsdaleschools.org.